Sippin' On Purple · Aug 25, 2023
2023 Know Your Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini
Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesToday, we’ll wrap up previewing Northwestern’s final opponent of the 2023 season: the Illinois Fighting Illini. Following a renaissance season in 2022 under Bret Bielema, the Illini look to make it consecutive years of producing NFL talent and having on-field success.
The Basics
Returning Production: 63% overall (64% offense, 62% defense); 71st overall
2022 record: 8-5 (5-4 B1G)
Head Coach: Bret Bielema (3rd season)
The Stats
The following metrics are courtesy of Bill Connelly and ESPN. You can read more about the rankings and theory behind them here.
2022 SP+ Overall: 21st
2022 SP+ Offense: 99th
2022 SP+ Defense: 2nd
2022 Capsule